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I am having some issues with my plant database in Landmark 2018. I recently bought a license and I keep getting error messages when trying to search or modify any plants that I am trying to use. The message says "The primary file 'Plant Database is either not part of this application, is damaged, or is already open." It's not already open.
As an aside...is it worth it to purchase 3D plant libraries and from what source is best? I am enjoying creating 3D models but the variety of plants available is not that diverse.

I'm throwing out a detailed story in hopes that you will read it, participate in the discussion, and help develop best practices...
I am in the process of evaluating Vectorworks (VW) to see if it can handle the types of projects we do (large parks, transportation infrastructure, airports/airbases, large campus designs, etc). I am also taking this as an opportunity to organize our plant information. I just attended a getting started webinar a few weeks ago. So, I know just enough to be dangerous and enthusiastic, but far from productive.
The situation... The firm (large AEC) has roughly 15 years of poorly curated, high quality data (plant lists, photos, horticultural information, etc). We are moving towards full BIM implementation to meet contractual obligations and increase collaboration. Revit and Civil 3D are becoming the choice of other departments. I am in the position to do something different, should I choose to. My staff currently supports me using AutoCAD and MColor, Revit as required. I gave up AutoCAD and the PC recently. I produce most designs by hand, photoshop, and/or sketchup. Reports are done in Office/Adobe CS. Vectorworks seems to have a workflow that may benefit us from concept to tender, if it can handle the vastness of our sites and the requisite detail that is eventually added.
This portion of the evaluation - Plant Information
Goals
Organize the information in such a way that it may import to VW or another database, if we end up using a different solution.
Develop a plant database that is composed completely of plants where we have verified the data, customized to suit our particular needs.
Have the ability to query the database for plants that posses unique attributes we have defined, such as being approved for certain jurisdictions, communities, or biological regions. Sometimes two or more of these unique attributes may be coincidental.
Have photos in the cut sheets that match photos used in elevations, sections, and perspectives.
Ability to print larger photos from the database, if required.
Process thus far Here's where I could use some advice before investing significant time in the project.
1. Exported a single plant record from VW to Excel in order to gain a list of its field headings.
2. Gave this to our staff and instructed them to fill out information per the fields.
3. Instructed staff to rename our image files to correspond to VW fields (Image1, Image2, Image3) using the following convention <botanical name>_<#> where # represents the image type
(1=form, 2 = detail, 3= misc.).
Thoughts....
"Image1" - elevation or texture of a plant AND serve as the image prop. What is the best image format to use for Image1 in this example for creating image props?
I discovered PNGs with transparency actually look pretty nice but want to make sure to choose wisely before committing a lot of staff time to editing images.
"Image2" - typical details of interest, dominate characteristic, or supplemental glamour shot of the plant
"Image3" could be the plan symbols type. I say type because it doesn't seem possible to use one image that would convey the various scales we use on drawings. "Image3" in this case would simply be a resource for times when we are explaining what a particular plant on the plan looks like to stake holders.
Units for Height & Spread, I'm thinking of using meters. I'm an American, now working abroad, and generally tired of living with the Imperial system. What is this data field used for besides informing a dialog box when sizing plants? Does it influence size of symbols or model elements? Of non-Imperial Vectorworks LAs, what do you use? Thoughts?
Region Notes - Thinking of using this as the place for the 'unique attributes' previously mentioned since they somewhat relate to regional usage. These attributes are like belonging to a club. Some plants are popular and belong to many clubs, where other plants may go unrecognized and belong to none. What would you do?
Are there any warnings, case studies, or other useful information to consider when building a plant database?
What happens to the files size and speed of the database as you add photos and other media? Has something been made that explains sharing the database over a network with multiple users?
I'm sold on the work environment and graphics. If the plant database and reporting proves useful, I'll be exploring other topics in the coming weeks such as Revit/Civil 3D data exchange, studying performance on very large planting plans, replacing AutoCAD xref workflow with the VW equivalent, creating workflow strategies on very large projects (we are currently involved in a port project that consists of 33 sheets at 1:500), and evaluating PDF output. After that, I'll try my hand at stairs, ramps, and railings.
Thank you in advance for any thoughts,
Jeff

So we just recently started having problems with our plant database after having it work fine. I'm wondering if a change occurred in one of the recent Service Packs? Without informing users? Before the .exe file and folder used to be called 'VW Plants' and now it seems to be 'Vectorworks Plants'?
This seemingly simple shift has me boggled because we track our favorite plants by checking the box for favorites...and they all disappeared.
I am able to retrieve my old data, in tact, and find my favorites, but when I try to import the .usr file with just the favorites, I can't seem to select an option that just updates existing records with the "favorites" box checked. Instead, the only way I can seem to get those records in is by adding entirely new and often duplicate records into the database. When I do this I end up with two 'Plant name A's...one checked as a favorite and another unchecked.
I want to be able to delete duplicate entries in the database. I have even found ones that come in it stock. Is there a way to quickly purge the database of duplicates based on a specific field (i.e. VW Latin Name)?
Or
Is there a way to import records from another database and have them simply update the records within the database without adding duplicates...mainly the check box for VW Favorites?

So we just recently started having problems with our plant database after having it work fine. I'm wondering if a change occurred in one of the recent Service Packs? Without informing users? Before the .exe file and folder used to be called 'VW Plants' and now it seems to be 'Vectorworks Plants'?
This seemingly simple shift has me boggled because we track our favorite plants by checking the box for favorites...and they all disappeared.
I am able to retrieve my old data, in tact, and find my favorites, but when I try to import the .usr file with just the favorites, I can't seem to select an option that just updates existing records with the "favorites" box checked. Instead, the only way I can seem to get those records in is by adding entirely new and often duplicate records into the database. When I do this I end up with two 'Plant name A's...one checked as a favorite and another unchecked.
I want to be able to delete duplicate entries in the database. I have even found ones that come in it stock. Is there a way to quickly purge the database of duplicates based on a specific field (i.e. VW Latin Name)?
Or
Is there a way to import records from another database and have them simply update the records within the database without adding duplicates...mainly the check box for VW Favorites?

Hi all I have just upgraded to V 2017. In the 2016 version I had customised the plant database and this has not been migrated to the new version. Where do I find my old database to import this data to the 2017 version? Thanks in advance Neale